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May

Hello my friend, apparently this is my post for May. I didn’t intend it to be this way, but then how often does what we plan to do end up being being what we actually do? One of my favourite quotes comes courtesy of John Lennon ‘Life is what happens when we’re busy making other plans’ and those who know me well will often have heard that little gem escape my mouth. Usually accompanied by a sigh or maybe a rueful grin…..

I’m taking time off social media. Blogging is the only platform you will see me on for a while – I can’t give up blogging! But being off all those other platforms has allowed me to refocus and, when I discovered there were at least three hours in every day that I didn’t know were there, I decided to stay off.

Three hours a day means I can get a lot more done. The Persian Tiles blanket is growing. Thanks very much says Mr Orlando as he nestles down on a stacked pile of completed tilesSusanne ordered some cards and I happily made her half a dozen ‘Trois Dames’I went back to playing with alcohol inks and ended up adding acrylics over one of them to see what happened Nothing went awry, so, emboldened, I kept playing – now I tried to see what would happen if I added blending solution to a brush and swept it across the inky coloured skyWell that was interesting! Obviously a very light touch and brush-on-paper-always technique is required. More work is currently being undertaken 🙂

I had already begun work on creating a Wise Woman, a crone, a witch….

The initial thoughts went into my sketch bookAnd then I sketched her onto 300gsm watercolour paper making sure she was the right size and that the pen I used wouldn’t bleed with alcohol inks.I then coloured her and cut her out. And finally tried her out on the backgroundThere’s a lot of work still to be done – but can you see where this is going?

So, in need of a rest from trying to manipulate alcohol ink, I made cards with some of the remaining inkies, cutting up the paper into smaller bits and taking my inspiration from something I stumbled across, and paid attention to, on one of my random YouTube playing lists. I was quite pleased…… The Seaside Stash Busting blanket is making progress – I really like it and now and then add in an extra row or two just because I can……This is how I crochet in the evenings – I quite often let You Tube play a random selection of videos while I’m working, they often choose to show me animals and Siddy always sits up and takes notice, much to the consternation of Orlando and myself who must consequently adjust our positions to accommodate any excitement or anxiety shown on behalf of the filmed animals…… It’s turning cold here now. Night falls early and morning arrives later. The heating is on and morning walks take longer to get ready for. Boots, coat, scarf, gloves, hat. Puppy. And off we go! No longer prepared to sit in the front garden and await our return, Orlando watches from the kitchen window. Lucky kitty!!

103 thoughts on “May”

Ahh, dear Pauline, you know I understand too well that pull away from social media. Wonderful to see you so busy with all your various crafts, and Orlando is obviously enjoying the end results of one of them very much indeed. Always lovely to catch up with you through blogging, even if neither of us are doing much of it these days, but we’re still here and that’s the main thing! It is hard, but so freeing. When busy living life, social media is not the place to be. A major time suck as I read someone call it recently! Happy crafting my friend! ❤ xoxo

I keep telling myself it’s time to make another post – then I wander off and start work on something I’m making…… 🙂 Brief catch up posts on crafts are all I can manage right now. As long as life is being lived and we are having fun along the way – or at least learning some great lessons – what else is there to say? Enjoy your summer days dear Sherri! xoxo

Boots, coats, hats…YIKES!!! I keep forgetting we are opposites. We went from winter to summer here forget spring-lol. I am making the rounds today to see what everyone is up to this summer/winter. I have not even posted yet. I need to, but I will eventually.
WOW-3 hours what a person can get done in that amount of time.
I don’t have facebook can’t find the time to do that with blogging. Well, look how good I am with blogging lately-LOL. For about one week I tried Instagram, YIKES! That was enough time for me to figure out not for me…I can’t spend all my time at a computer. I need to move and create. I am getting my garden put together and I will share soon.
I also have been taking some watercolor classes on Skillshare which I hope will teach me some new skills. Good to see you are productive-as usual!!!
Happy Gardening!

Hello Robbie, lovely to see you pop by! One of the blessings of our global community is having the bigger picture of the world, don’t you think. I love how it brings us all together as just people having different experiences, but with the same heart forces no matter which country, belief system or ethnicity we are. I’m excited to hear about your watercolour classes – I like them more and more, but (still) don’t find the time to practise as much as I need to to become really proficient. I’ve been making some cards using little water colour paintings for my family and friends, which is a nice easy way to start but being me I’d like to go bigger 🙂 I hope you will share your work on your blog.

( ) cyber hug Pauline!!! It is a small world!!!I am also wanting to make some of my own art supplies from the garden. It should be interesting. There are some roots that make colors etc…Right now I am re-purposing junk in my garden. Basically that means spray painting some objects-LOL. My head is filled with flowers to paint! I paint with flowers in my garden beds-next on paper! I promise to share:-)

You could have a lot of fun making your own colours that would be a number of really fascinating blog posts!! And you have no shortage of real or photographed scenes to work from – I’m so excited! xoxo

Hello Val – sorry I’m so late in responding to your visit here – I’m maybe taking this off-line thing a bit too far 🙂 I keep the windows open when I’m using these inks and don’t work over them for too long at a stretch. I guess I’m lucky not to be too sensitive to them! I do love the colours too and the random way they behave. Thanks for coming by!

I just love seeing your experiments and projects come to life, Pauline. Your creative instincts are so fun to watch as they take shape in your work. The alcohol inks are amazingly beautiful – like stained glass in a way. And good for you for cutting down on social media. I’m just about limited to blogging too, and I thoroughly enjoy using my other time for more varied creativity. Stay warm and happy creating. 🙂

May must feel so different to you than it does to me here in Arizona. Here it holds all the promise of new life and is truly one of the two prettiest months here. For you it must feel like it does here as it changes from October to November (October is the other prettiest month).

Oh how I love to see your art come to life through all its various stages – such an interesting journey to the finished piece! I, too, have stepped back from blogging and IG a bit. I still try to read my favourite blogs but not commenting as much as in the past – that’s what takes the time but is also the ‘nice’ bit! ‘Once a day’ is my new motto:)

So glad you dropped by Sheila. It’s been so great clawing back the time spent online, it’s made a big difference for me. Heavens knows what you will achieve, given you already manage your time so well already! Can’t wait to see 🙂

Hello Pauline! I’m finally catching up. I loved this post, filled with my favorite things: your beautiful art (and my those purple colors are gorgeous), crochet in lovely blues and greens, and of course Siddy and Orlando keeping you company nearby. I’ve had fun looking at the different ways you’ve “dressed” the women on the cards. I used to love the Highlight’s Magazine as a child where you had to find the things that were different, i.e. one hat would have one stripe and the other two, and so on. I’m not sure why that delights me but it does. Your cards, aside from being clever and cute, reminded me of that joyful activity. I applaud your withdrawal from most social media. When I was working on my outdoor challenge, I withdrew quite a bit. It’s easy to while away the hours reading posts, looking at photos, watching cat videos and the like. There are folks I’m connected to only via Facebook (friends that don’t follow my blog and who live in other parts of the country or the world). It allows me to keep in touch. What I don’t miss are the barrage of political comments nor the “share this or your thumb will fall off” type of posts. 😉

Hello Alys 🙂 I know you have been so busy and appreciate that you made the time to pop in. The purple painting has been ‘resting’ while a pile of cards got made. The room was cleaned up yesterday afternoon in preparation for painting work to begin and all card making detritus sorted and stored. The painting is now in place to begin work on later today or tomorrow according to how things pan out….. I’m hoping the news is good – but lacking that word or ‘exciting’ I’m feeling concern. Waiting. xoxo

Pauline, I’m so pleased I found your beautiful May post this evening. I’ve missed your creativity. I love where you went with your experimental sky, then the addition of the wise woman extended it to encourage even further contemplation. The cards are gorgeous too. Are they going into your store? The trio look like a fun bunch to belong to. I wonder what escapades they get up to. Our day are getting shorter and our mornings coming later too, but we won’t be as cool as you. Stay warm. You’ve lovely crocheted rugs to keep you so. Enjoy!

Hello Norah! Thank you for your encouragement 🙂 The cards aren’t making it into my store, they are going out faster than I can make them currently. I love the trio too, they are very popular. We have had warmer days again, the temps sure go up and down a lot around here!

Hello Mama P! I’m very impressed with all your accomplishments Pauline ❤ Especially your Seaside Blanket. That is really stunning. Considering you're using left over bits of yarn, I think you couldn't get a nicer colour combination if you had actually planned it ! The alcohol ink work is stunning. It's pretty pricey here for the Ranger Alcohol Ink product and they're very small. So I bought a bottle of Copic blending solution and a couple of Copic refills in my favourite colours. It's such a better value. So I'll see how that works on Yupo.
Of course, while the weather turns cool for you, we are finally seeing warmth. It was 28 C yesterday and 27 C today. I worked in the yard yesterday and today I feel old. LOL! So I guess I can only garden every other day. Today, I've been inside editing ever cupboard, shelf and closet. A spring clean thing. Finding a lot of old magazines to purge. I'm asking myself, "why have I moved these twice". They're all going to Goodwill. I'm also waiting for service people who were to arrive for an AM appointment. No call and it's 12:37pm. Tisk, that earns them an C in the review for punctuality. But it gave me time to say hello and see all your creative projects, so that's why they aren't getting an F, LOL xoxoxo K

The truth of the seaside blanket is that the yarn cupboard was stuffed full of yarn intended to be made up into garments, all in my favourite colours that had just moldered away for several years or even more – forgotten and unloved! So with often largish amounts of the same yarn to use up the blanket has serendipitously become quite a lovely palette. As the stash is worn down though I do wonder what the end will look like – some colours are running low already and we aren’t even half way through…….. The Alcohol inks are pricey – and sold in sets of three which is a really clever marketing trick but hell on the budget – but they do last a good while, I haven’t had to replace a colour yet. I’m loving that paper you gave me, did I tell you that already? It is just the best I have used and I’m going to have to track that down as I’m going through your pad fast!

I love a good spring clean! I did my kitchen yesterday even though it’s nearly full on winter-time 🙂 I hate my kitchen it needs to be fully replaced remodelled and have a smaller footprint. Like that’s going to happen 😀 But I worked away and scrubbed everything and got about one third of the way through…. not sure if I will continue today or it might have to wait for another year. At least I threw some stuff out 🙂 I have some old Oprah mags that I’ve kept for maybe ten years or more, don’t know why, they might be handy one day….. Crazy!!

It got warm at your place really quickly didn’t it. Gardening every other day is kind of my speed nowadays. Enjoy your long days of warmth and light. Looking forward to catching up this weekend. xoxo

Such creativity! I love your colors as well as your creativity. I can understand giving up on other forms of social media. As you know, I inadvertently gave up my blog. It was never my intention but I have to remind myself what I really wanted to spend my retirement doing and some things, many things, just went by the wayside. Priorities I guess. I do, however, always enjoy seeing what you were up to. You inspire me!

I have ruminated often on whether we blog just to connect with certain people, or different ideas. Everything has its season and reason! I’m glad you are still popping in here, thank you for that! And of course I’m always happy to be an inspiration for something positive – thank you for that 😀

Your creations are beautiful. I’m especially interested in where the wise woman, witch, crone is heading along. Vibrant, mesmerizing colors in that piece. I’m happy you’re keeping with blogging. I worried until I read that part. I have cut my time way down on all social media. I’m a Gemini so I like communicating and flittering around the internet, but I must be careful with my time. I am also an infj type and get exhausted by so much socializing, as I’ve learned with age. It’s good to take breaks. It’s a lot to keep up with.
My fall-winter-spring walks have turned into summer walks: 90+ degrees and high humidity. I miss the cooler air. I’m glad I came by today, too. I always look forward to your posts:) xx

I don’t know what an ‘infj’ type is – I haven’t kept up with all of that development. I do know I should have been a hermit, who, as a friend once told me, would come down off her mountainside a couple of times a year, party like crazy and then return to her quiet meditations 🙂 Nowadays I think the partying bit would also have gone, I prefer very small groups or one on one conversations! Siddy and I would head out really early in the height of summer, just to miss the heat. One of the nicer things about the winter for me is the later walks, after the air has warmed up just a tad. Your 90+ heat (32+) is too much for me to handle any more. I retire to the cool of the air conditioning! But the long hours of daylight are a delight aren’t they – that’s what I miss the most right now.

I’m a huge fan of Jungian therapy – I’m a half trained counsellor in fact. (It’s a long story) While I haven’t kept up with the latest advances from the various schools much of my take on mental health and spiritual life stems from his influence.

I’m only self-trained in Jungian therapy 🙂, but I’ve done extensive reading and studying of it. If I were a wee bit younger I would train to become an Jungian analyst/depth psychologist. I especially like Marion Woodman. We have lots in common, don’t we?

A beautiful month of May, even if colder now. Yes, definitely colder here in Johannesburg too. 😉
Love the painting, it is looking splendid. And so is your blanket.
Hugs to the little furry children.
Take care, keep warm, and enjoy the walks and extra time. 😉

Always so good to hear from you, Pauline. Your artwork and cards are lovely. And I’m loving that blanket. I’m with you on the facebook issue; I’d just rather spend my precious time here on earth doing other things.

Quite so Jodie! I’m formulating a theory that we could just leave fb to the trolls and morally corrupt and let them keep adding to Zuckerberg’s bank account and abusing each other while the rest of us keep on loving, growing, creating and appreciating the lives we have been given. 🙂 Thank you for adding to the conversation xo

I have not been nearly as productive and creative as you have been, probably because I spend too much time on social media. I should do something about that.
I love your Wise Woman, your cards, and your Seaside stash busting blanket. They’re all beautiful. 🙂

Hello Robin, thank you 🙂 ‘should’ is not such a great word to apply to ourselves – but you could if you really decide you want to……. The thing that has surprised me is how much more energy I have – who knew social media was such an energy sucker. Ha! Facebook as a vampire!! 🙂

Lovely to see your creativity and that big pile of Persian tiles that O. is enjoying. I am on my travels at the moment and spent the afternoon with fellow blogger Jenny of I am Simply Hooked – how lucky I am!

I think a limited menu of social media suits you very well–look at all you’re accomplishing! I like all of it–and I like how varied it is. No ruts for you! That seaside blanket is wonderful–just exactly the colors I envision when I think of you and your style. And I’m interested in the crone–she is so different from your usual paintings of women. Looking forward to seeing this develop and to hearing the continuing adventures of Orlando and Siddy! Don’t stop blogging, please!

Isn’t it amazing what can happen when you drop the time wasters – who knew!! I’m not intending to stop blogging Kerry – this world has the intention and the interest and the depth to sustain me. And where would I be without all my online friends? I found the other platforms draining and somewhat irritating really. Maybe I’m just getting old and crotchety! This particular painting is for someone and I am thinking of all the things I want her to know and all the things I wish for her as I work on it – it is a work in progress still and will change. The crone is also an image I’m working on for me 🙂

Such a beautiful, creative post. Awesome cards! 🙂 I’m with you all the way. I have reduced social media too, especially Instagram was a big time-eater. Now it’s only blogging and only every fortnight. I had a timeout and enjoyed being totally immersed in a good book again, spending more time learning photography, attending workshops, working for long hours in the garden and remembering what’s important in life.

Thank you for coming by and leaving this lovely comment too Dina. It’s so easy to get sucked into all these platforms and quite hard to get free of them. Life simply feels better without the brain sludge 🙂 It sounds like you have found a really good rehabilitation 🙂

Hi Carol, Persian tiles catch-up next post . And that ‘crochet treasure’ your sharp eye spied is quite old now and covers the chair as a damp puppy is inclined to sit there and wait for second breakfast after his morning walk…… its looking a little the worse for wear as a result. Its just as well there are two more throws in the works 🙂

I am so glad to see you here and all you have been doing!!! You are a magician with the inks and the wise woman “crone” is a delight. The cards with the look or actual lace on them is so inspiring. You did wonders with “stashed” yarn! It’s going to be beautiful when it’s done and at least warm to work on while in progress. I lose a lot of time reading so many posts but spend almost none on FB and none at all on any other social media. Cut down my outside interests to a short term writing group and the twice monthly neighborhood embroidery group. Since we have spring here and my yard is larger than I bargained for, I’m making short work of the weeds and getting good ground cover in. The front is done, for the most part. Each season brings it’s own good and bad. I love the extra daylight and the colors. Please keep sharing your artwork with us. You inspire me to keep trying.

It’s lovely having a garden, but it does require a lot of care doesn’t it Marlene. It’s always the swings and roundabouts! Very sensible to be having a long term plan of ground cover and space users leaving more free time in terms of care and attention. My favourite part of summer time is the long hours of daylight. I always feel the loss when I’m closing up at 4.30 pm and not opening again until 7.30. And still a month to go until the solstice! I have become careful of my time. There’s not an unending amount left and there are things I want to do and items I want to leave behind, constantly not having time is an excuse to avoid I feel and so I took myself in hand….. I actually feel more energised too and that was something I hadn’t even noticed I was lacking! I haven’t actually shut anything down yet, but that will probably come.

I have not been reading people’s blogs as loyally, but I saw your tweet this morning and came by and was so excited to see all your creativity blooming. It’s neat that you can move from one endeavor to another and have animal cooperation. I do like your ladies with their wine. I may need to get some of those for a gift and order some more cosmos cards. They were so well received. I gave one with a little tea bread to some neighbors and they thanked me and then said,”That card!! It was so amazing!” Anyhoo, let’s us arrange a Skype in the next couple weeks.

That’s so lovely to hear Lisa – the art work/cards so often go out into a vacuum and I never hear what folk think so I really appreciate getting any and all feedback. I’m ready to skype whenever you are 🙂

I am so glad you are not giving up blogging. I so look forward to your posts and art. I love what you are doing with the woman of wisdom. It blew me away how she fit so perfectly with the background. As always I love the pictures of Orlando and Siddy. They are just the best kitty and puppy ever! I’d like to say our weather here as turned warm and spring-like. Unfortunately we are still in the midst of cool, grey days though at least the leaves are finally out on the trees.

Thank you SS I’m always happy to hear when something I’m working on strikes the viewer. ‘Best kitty and puppy ever’ is my mantra to these two. They are great fun! I hope you get blue skies and sunny days soon – Spring is being terribly recalcitrant for you isn’t she – heck Summer should be there any day now surely….?

OOOH! So excited to see my cards and can’t wait until they arrive so I can send them to my two friends. They’ll love them, too, I’m sure! I too am only on WordPress now, having released Twitter and FB into the ether. It’s amazing how much time they suck up! The Crone of Wisdom is beautiful – looking into the darkness and finding light. That’s what we crone’s do.

I’m with you, Pauline! I could give up all other forms of social media, but never blogging. This is where true friendships are formed. The trois dames cards are amazing! Orlando looks so sweet and cuddly! Thank you for this post! It’s inspired me to refocus and stay focused. xo

I’m fighting off a series of people wanting me to ‘just glance at this form/contract/letter/lease/legal guff would you?’ I try and say I’m not a lawyer anymore but they look anxiois/keen/desperate so I pick it up and I’m into whatever vortex they’ve pulled me into. Ah me. I need more discipline. It’s not their fault but mine. So yes I’d like to claw back time. I really want to get mum’s memoir published but… hey first world problems hey. Your picture is fab very fantastical. Keep up the good work

Oh heck I know what that is like! When I quit teaching I’d come home and find parents or teachers sitting on my doorstep, just waiting for ‘a quick chat’ and the phone calls!! And yes, there we are back in their vortex. It’s so hard to say no isn’t it. I solved that problem by moving to the bottom of the other island 🙂 (Never one to do things by half) You mama’s memoir must be published, no-one else can do that. The other problems are other peoples to solve. Boundaries! You’re welcome 😀

A wonderful post, Pauline. The trois dames cards are brilliant; the new developments in painting are producing intriguing results; the crocheting is beautiful. And I’m pleased this is one vehicle you are not abandoning 🙂

Those inks are such fun!! Glad you like the WW, I’m developing her too. The blanket is also a lot of fun to be doing. I love that progression is so stately and a surprise for us each week. I am sticking with using only yarn from my stash so the unfolding colour is also a surprise.

Oh my your wise woman is fabulous. The background almost looks like encaustic art. Your wise woman could be translated to a rubber stamp. Just love her and the three friends always makes me happy.. It’s terrible how much time social media can eat up isn’t it. Have a great weekend of snuggled down creativity.

So much wonderful creativity Pauline. There is a playfulness about your approach to your art that I love! May is my favourite month here in the UK, everything is bursting forth in the woods and gadrens. I hope to be gardening most days and crochet of course!
Love the colours in your Seaside Stashbusting blanket.

Oh thank you Sandra I like that you enjoy my approach. I call my work room my ‘playroom’ and I decided long ago that as I will never be a great artist I shall be one who has fun doing it. I’m seeing some beautiful summery shots coming out of the UK, and I get to enjoy it too ❤ Happy gardening!

Hello Pauline, I’m glad I found your blog, the colours and stories brightened up a cloudy day 🙂 Looking forward to more painting of witches and of course the blues of Persian Tiles and other crochet. Happy weekend!

I love your trois dames cards Pauline. But everything you do is done with such enthusiasm it invariably seems to turn out well. I’m glad you’re another one who has found missing hours since you cut back on social media. It feels like playing hookey at first but then it feels like freedom.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx